Elections in Armenia

[freakyfreaky]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Music, animal sacrifice, celebrity endorsements and organized stunts used to campaign before the election. http://armenianow.com/?action=viewAr...D=1172&lng=eng

Portraying presidential presence.

http://armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=2812&CID=2753&IID=1172&lng=eng

PM Sargysan leads processional of clergy and supporters accompanied by orchestra to the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan; article also discusses media parity, or lack of it, amongst candidates. http://armenianow.com/?action=viewAr...9&IID=&lng=eng

Nephew of RA Minister alleged to have incited violence at Ter-Petrossian rally earlier this month. http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57224

In response to Ter-Petrossian, PM Sargysan campaigns in Avan preceded by pop singers. http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57140

In protest to TV propaganda, people rally in the streets in support of Ter-Petrossian where Ter-Petrossian calls for PM to withdraw his candidacy and activists blame President and PM for October 27 incident and causing fire to the Ministry of Justice. http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57381

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57382

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57387

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57395

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57398

Hovannisian and Dashnaks rail againts new regime and Ter Petrossian as old regime for threatening to surrender NKR.

“WHO EMPOWERED YOU TO SURRENDER TERRITORIES?”
A1plus, Armenia - Feb 8, 2008
They only malign each other and seem to have forgotten about Azerbaijan's role and stance towards the Karabakh conflict.” Hrant Margarian condemned both the ...

President argues against alliance of opposition parties. http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeni...665AC900B6.ASP

Foreign-run poll has PM way of head of the pack.

http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2008/02/09/populis/

"Sheep" by Pink Floyd for you auditory and enjoyment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGurfyISnN8

Armenian elections blog. http://blog.oneworld.am/

[Lucin]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

The point is that some of the wierd statements made by Levon Ter Pedrosyan should not be taken too seriously...

I agree. I neither take Ter Petrossian seriously nor his little cheer leaders…

Let me put it in a way that you can understand...

LOL, who wants to make me "understand"? One who changes his mind a few times within just 24 hours?? By the way, why did you delete the following??

After hearing some of stupid comments coming out of der pedrosyans mouth-namely that he will reduce armenia's armed forces to 10,000 and that Azerbaijan is a vital ally for armenia-I am starting to think that Der pedrosyan is actually working for the authorities, that is, he is making himself look so bad, that serje looks like a saint in comparison.

[Lucin]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Because, every time I try to show a little objectivity...

LOL, Objectivity? Nice try! This thread, your stance on the issue and your reactions just revealed the troubled, dysfunctional and disillusioned personality of yours…

Wow, we have so many weird individuals amongst us.

I also deleted a personal response I had made to you as well...

Yeah, but too late, I had already given a 'message' to your Mama…

I stand by what I said: some of the statements made by ter pedrosyan, to the average patriot, sound so wierd that, serje looks like a saint in comparison.

Only a mentally retarded and khangarvats individual would state the above and continue to support LTP.

[Armenian]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Wow, we have so many weird individuals amongst us.

That's my point, quyrik. And that is why "democracy" must never be attempted in our nation. Just imagine individuals like Ara B. Siamanto, Sip, Freaky, Կարմիր Բ, Artsakh, zourna, and others, deciding the fate of our nation... Scary thought, no? A nightmare, as a matter of fact. Armenians have always been difficult to rule over. Sadly, what we need are righteous/nationalistic tyrants to rule over us.

[freakyfreaky]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Armenian media members discuss their own impartiality leading to further inquiries: Is party information responsible for partial information and which one is worse?

http://www.azg.am/EN/2008021203

http://www.armradio.am/news/?part=pol&id=11852

Armenian Republican party members voice support for LTP, stating that the days of state censorship are gone. http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57449

One loud, defiant supporter left for Sargsyan?

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57417

Battling corruption: 2008 election issue.

http://www.hetq.am/eng/politics/7570/

No candidates resign, no insurmontable obstacles exists, no oppositon coalition materializes just yet.

http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=24816

http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav021108b.shtml

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57436

But Dashnaks deny supporting LTP.

http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2008/02/11/dashnak/

LTP's request for delay of elections considered and denied by Constitutional Court.

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57426

http://armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=2819&CID=2766&IID=&lng=eng

http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/02/29B04096-E91D-4CB6-9A82-B7E1C67E1C92.ASP

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57457

Central Election Committee launches updated website re: registrar of voters, election results.

http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=24824

Ballots printed: Baghdasaryan first and last Sargsyan then LTP. http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2008/02/11/cik/

Hovannisian stumps for rural vote. http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=56718

[Lucin]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Inches asum ay Parsik jivagh.

"Parsik"...?? Oh-my-God, are you one of those poghotsayin hetamnats geghtsis?

[freakyfreaky]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

LTP receives Heritage Party Hovannissian's endorsement. http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeni...88D6DAFE92.ASP

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57477

Chief Prosecutor threatens to try those who make false representations by presidential election candidates. http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeni...43EA7DBD5D.ASP

Sargsyan rails against opponents ARF Hovannisian and LTP. http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeni...FB0ABB68E6.ASP

LTP to Moscow; unofficially meets with Putin's anticipated successor.

http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/02/02BC8594-C6AB-4D85-A09D-CA758A606E32.ASP

Residents from the "zone of alienation" decry authorities for reneging on promises, working towards "unmask"-ing PM, negotiating with oppositional candidates in effort to put down Sargsyan's presidential run.

http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=57470

[Armenian]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Implied Consent: Duma’s top man gives unofficial nod to Sargsyan

Russian State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov’s official visit to Armenia that began on Monday and his meeting with Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan may be viewed as Russia’s support for the presidential candidate’s election bid. As the leader of Russia’s pro-Kremlin United Russia party, which achieved a landslide victory in the December legislative elections in Russia, Gryzlov on Monday signed a cooperation deal with Armenia’s governing coalition members – the Sargsyan-led Republican Party of Armenia and the Prosperous Armenia Party. Thereby, the two countries’ ruling parties agree on “exchange of information, mutual visits of delegations, coordinated steps within the framework of international forums.”

During his meetings with officials in Armenia, including with President Robert Kocharyan and Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosyan, Gryzlov, whose party is the main support base of Russia’s outgoing President Vladimir Putin and his likely successor Dmitry Medvedev, did not speak overtly about preferences for the February 19 presidential election in Armenia. But MP and Prosperous Armenia Party member Naira Zohrabyan told ArmeniaNow that Gryzlov’s visit in the middle of the campaign and United Russia’s agreement with the Armenian coalition parties in itself implies that “Russia is eager to see the continuity of government in Armenia.” However, another member of the party, Aram Safaryan, told ArmeniaNow that the agreement is not connected with the presidential race in Armenia and that preparations for the document had been made for the past 10 months.

Armen Ashotyan, a member of parliament representing the Republican Party of Armenia, says that Gryzlov’s visit is “of an official nature.” “However, on the other hand, the timing of such visits is not accidental,” Ashotyan said in an ArmeniaNow interview. “It is possible to look for and find political subtexts implying Russia’s assistance to its [favored] candidate, in particular in the context of the signing of the agreement between United Russia and [Armenia’s] coalition parties.”

Speaking about the development of Armenian-Russian relations, Kocharyan expressed his satisfaction with the bilateral economic ties which, he said, have become “the motive force of Armenian-Russian cooperation, as a result of which Russian capital has been involved in numerous sectors of Armenia’s economy.” Kocharyan, in particular, emphasized the “dynamically developing” activities in such spheres as energy and transport. Gryzlov’s visit to Armenia is his first official visit to a foreign country in the capacity of Speaker of the newly elected State Duma. During one of his previous visits to Armenia in late 2004, Gryzlov stated, to controversial reaction, that “Armenia is Russia’s outpost in the South Caucasus”.

Source: http://armenianow.com/?action=viewAr...g=eng&IID=1170

[Armenian]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Armenian scenario

On February 19, a head of state will be elected in what is for us a friendly and very important country. The elections in Armenia are very similar to those Russia will hold in March. The successor of the current president will run for the top position; he is being opposed by representatives of the former government, and his long standing opponents. As in Russia, the current government's nominee - Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian - has every chance of success. As in Russia, the popularity of the current government in Armenia rests on economic success. When Robert Kocharian's team came to power ten years ago Armenia was in a desperate position. It had suffered several years of economic dislocation, absence of electricity and heating. Today, Armenia, a country with no energy resources or any other tangible natural resources, has one of the world's most dynamic economies. Its economy grew by 13.6% last year, one of the fastest rates in the world.

But statistics as such are of little interest to the voters. What matters for them is how those statistics reflect their well-being. During the past year, average incomes increased by 24.7%, while inflation did not exceed the Russian old dream rate of 6%. Last year's parliamentary elections testified to serious public support for the current government. The ruling Republican Party, led by Sarkisian, together with its ally and rival Prosperous Armenia, headed by Gagik Tsarukian, received more than half of all votes and two thirds of seats in parliament. Now this alliance has shored up its power even further - at the presidential elections Tsarukian will support Sarkisian. This partnership is as hard hitting as that between Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev in Russia. The latest polls give Sarkisian 47.5% of all votes, which are likely to guarantee his victory in the first round.

Today, Yerevan looks like an enormous construction site. The prime minister and his political consultants do not have to ponder over election scenarios - Sarkisian is travelling all around the country, and telling his compatriots about ambitious plans for spreading the gas network, road and house construction, and the eradication of poverty. He does not need a detailed program, and has drafted a short document on the consolidation of statehood and promotion of the principles of justice. Sarkisian cannot be accused of weakness or lack of experience - before heading the government, he served in various positions in security-related ministries, and his name is associated with military victories in Karabakh. Relations with Russia and the West are a big part of the election campaign. It is hard to notice anti-Russian attitudes in Armenia - Russia is associated with hope and support. But the same is true of anti-Western sentiment, which is only natural considering the existence of the influential Armenian Diaspora countries such as the United States and France. Sarkisian has a well-deserved reputation of a pro-Russian politician. He has known Putin for a long time, since he worked in CIS security-related agencies. But he is quite open to cooperation with the West, which practically eliminates the possibility of a foreign country conducting a large-scale campaign against him, as has sometimes happened in post-Soviet republics.

In this position it will be difficult not to win. No opposition candidate stands a chance, unless the government makes the mistake of paying too much attention to them. For the time being, the most prominent rival is the recent Speaker of Parliament and close associate of the current leader Artur Bagdasarian, who the polls put in second place with 13.4% of votes. He has suddenly turned into a vociferously pro-western critic of the regime. An active participant in every recent campaign, the leader of the National Unity Party, Artashes Gegamian, is in fourth place with a rating of 4.7%. Ex-Prime Minister Vazgen Manukian, and the leader of the historical Dashnak Party Vice-Speaker of Parliament Vaan Ovannesian are well known in the country. But the biggest sensation was the decision of the first Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian to run for the presidency. It has given not quite understandable hope to many opponents of the current government to defeat it. It is comparable to Mikhail Gorbachev running in the election race in Russia (he ran for the presidency in 1996 but with no success).

Ter-Petrosian is trying to prove the unprovable - that he was a more successful leader than Kocharian and Sarkisian. But his compatriots have not forgotten the first half of the 1990s. Moreover, Ter-Petrosian had to resign when under Western pressure he displayed readiness to make tangible concessions on Karabakh and relations with Turkey. Such conduct is not forgiven in Armenia. It will be difficult for him to prove his good attitude to Russia. It was he who shut down all the Russian schools in the country. Half of the voters will not support him under any circumstances, and he can hardly hope for more than third place and 7% of votes.

Could the consolidation of the opposition change the situation before the elections? It seems unlikely, primarily because none of the opposition leaders is accepted by the others. Ter-Petrosian, who is the loudest in claiming the leadership of the opposition, is also the most resented by the others. Sarkisian's opponents will not form a political alliance. The West is not likely to support an oppositionist, either. Moreover, now that international observers have, with a few reservations, declared the elections in neighboring Georgia quite legitimate, they will find it rather difficult to give the Armenian elections a lower rating for fear of looking ridiculous. Unlike in Georgia, the elections in Armenia are being held according to schedule; TV channels have not been shut down; opposition supporters are not behind bars or in exile, nor under criminal investigation. International monitoring will be very serious - almost 300 observers in 1,923 constituencies.

Russia would like to see Armenia a stable and dynamically developing country with a responsible government oriented towards constructive relations with it. Strategically, Sarkisian's nomination suits Moscow, which has given him support at the top level. It would be appropriate to take steps that would demonstrate our readiness to render Armenia substantial economic assistance. Regrettably, the pro-Russian forces in Armenia have been recently weakened by Moscow's decision to increase prices on gas exports. Considering our financial capabilities Russia should list Armenia as a priority recipient of its direct foreign aid. The main thing is not to overdo with the public demonstration of our support. The United States has been giving tangible assistance to Armenia for a long time. Our policymakers should consider the role Armenia could play in building relations with Georgia. For Armenia, which is under transport blockade, transit via Georgia is a lifeline. The more tense Russian-Georgian relations are, the more this lifeline is threatened.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080207/98622236.html

[Armenian]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

SERZH SARGSYAN LEADS WITH A HUGE GAP

Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia's Prime Minister, leads the race of presidential campaign in Armenia, says Andrew Cooper, directors of British "Populus" polling company. According to the "Populus" data, 50.7% of the Armenian adults would vote for him, if the elections were to take place tomorrow. Sargsyan leads with a strong gap. According to the same data, Arthur Baghdasaryan, from the "Orinats Yerkir" opposition party is the second, with 13.4%. Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the former president of Armenia is the third (12.6%). Results for 6 other candidates are below 10%. Today was the last day for the presidential nominees to withdraw their candidacies. According to the Central Electoral Committee, all 9 candidates continue their presidential race. Poll shows, that since last year, Armenian voters have become more hopeful about the future – for the country and for them – and increasingly think Armenia is moving in the right direction. The number of optimists increased for 10%, since April 2007 (form 43% to 53%). Nationally representative survey conducted between January 21^st - 29^th 2008. 1,500 Armenian adults interviewed face-to-face, yielding data with a margin of error of 2.6% (at 95% confidence). The poll was commissioned by Armenia Public TV & Radio. Populus is one of Britain's leading polling companies, with a strong record of accuracy in election polls. At the last UK election, Populus had an average error of just 0.25%. Populus conducts voting polls for a wide range of high profile clients, including BBC, The Times, Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal- Democrats.

Source: http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2008/02/09/populis/